Joe Pride has trained some well-above-average horses but THINK ABOUT IT elevated himself to potentially the best with his win in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane.
The four-year-old son of SO YOU THINK brought up his ninth win from 10 starts when he dominated his rivals in the $3 million event.
It was his second straight Group 1 win following victory in the Kingsford Smith Cup and Warwick Farm-based Pride said THINK ABOUT IT gives him feels that none of his previous Group 1 stars, including TERRAVISTA, EDUARDO and PRIVATE EYE, have.
“I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this, he’s pretty good,” Pride said.
“He’s just been able to keep climbing. This is the first time I haven’t put him up in grade from one run to the next, it was Group 1 to Group 1.
“Bring on anything for this horse. I just don’t know where his ceiling is, he’s amazing.”
THINK ABOUT IT WINS THE STRADBROKE HANDICAP! 🏆
What a horse.@PrideRacing pic.twitter.com/QX8xtfEmeF
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 10, 2023
THINK ABOUT IT, who carries the black and lime colours of Proven Thoroughbreds, atoned for that syndication company’s unlucky Stradbroke second placing with PRIVATE EYE 12 months’ earlier with his win.
Jockey Sam Clipperton found a lovely spot and produced the 4YO gelding early in the straight before powering away for a 1-1/2-length win over gallant local favourite ROTHFIRE ($16) with promising three-year-old HAWAII FIVE OH ($5) a neck away third.
“The feel he gives me is like no horse has ever given me and I’m truly grateful of Joe Pride and Proven Thoroughbreds just to ride this amazing horse,” Clipperton said.
In winning as the $3.60 favourite, THINK ABOUT IT became the shortest-priced winner of the Stradbroke since Private Steer, who started $3.40 two decades ago.
Pride’s attention with THINK ABOUT IT now turns to again going one better than PRIVATE EYE, this time in the $20 million The Everest, where he will run in the Newgate Farm slot.
“The Everest is there in the spring and it’s hard to imagine him not running well,” Pride said.
“I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this, he’s pretty amazing.” – RAS NewsWire
A $70,000 purchase from Newgate Farm’s draft at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, THINK ABOUT IT takes his total prizemoney to $2,848,175.
The Stradbroke Handicap is Proven Thoroughbreds’ 23rd stakes victory since 2021.
Meanwhile, Proven’s other runner in the Stradbroke, SCALLOPINI, has pulled up ok after an uncharacteristically below par performance. Rider Boris Thornton reported the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained gelding may have clipped heels early in the race before finishing 6.5 lengths astern of the winner.
